Gunmen dressed as paramilitary forces killed nine foreign tourists on June 23 in an unprecedented attack in the Himalayas of Gilgit-Baltistan. PHOTO: facebook.com/hunzaguidespakistan

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday to condemn the cold-blooded murder of 10 foreign trekkers and their Pakistani guide near the Nanga Parbat base camp.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal’s Maulana Sarwar Khan read out the resolution during the session called to present the G-B budget for fiscal year 2013-14. The resolution had been submitted by Sadia Danish, Mutabiat Shah and Ayub Shah, among others.

The session was conducted by Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmed in the absence of Speaker Wazir Baig.

On June 23, gunmen dressed as Gilgit Scouts stormed the camp and killed 10 foreign mountaineers – Chinese and Ukrainians – in an area previously not associated with violence or militancy.

“We condemn the barbaric murder of innocent tourists near the base camp of Nanga Parbat,” said Sarwar who belongs to Diamer valley where Nanga Parbat is situated.

“It’s a conspiracy against the beloved country to destabilise ties with China and sabotage the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.” The resolution extended condolences to the grieved families and demanded severe punishment for the militants responsible.

On Monday, thousands of people in Chilas town, Diamer district took to the streets to condemn the killings. Markets remained closed throughout the day to extend solidarity with families who lost their loved ones.

The assembly also passed a resolution to congratulate Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his election to the post.